held up in touch, steady headway going well 4f out, chased winner 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no impression when hung left final furlong
prominent, kicked rival after 2f, stayed prominent until weakened 4f out
prominent, led inside final 3f, ridden over 1f out, kept on well
in touch, weakened over 4f out, tailed off
slight lead for 4f, stayed handy, weakened over 3f out, tailed off
held up in rear, headway 4f out, pushed along 3f out, headway into one pace 3rd inside final 2f but no impression on front pair
held up in rear, headway on inside over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never nearer
held up in rear, hung badly left from over 6f out, hung badly left into straight and soon pulled up
close up, kicked by rival after 2f, soon challenging for lead, led narrowly after 4f, kept narrow advantage until headed inside final 3f, weakened rapidly, tailed off
always behind, ridden and struggling 6f out, tailed off
Paul Nicholls likes to target this race with one of his better horses and that should see ROBIN WILL start as favourite. Megastar and Pride In Battle rate chief amongst the dangers. Nicholls' tactic hasn't always led to success and is so well publicised that it rarely leads to value but he has supplied three of the last five winners and all were returned at odds against. Robin Will, a half-brother to My Will, has been targeted at this race since the start of the season and should go close. Megastar is very highly rated by Gary Moore and duly justified that confidence with success at Sandown on debut. He's partnered by an improving amateur who is beginning to look decent value for his claim and the pair shouldn't be taken lightly. Pride In Battle was just touched off over course and distance on debut and he should be able to build on that promising effort whilst Shoegazer won his sole start in an Irish point and needs to be monitored. Red Mile is out of a half-sister to Katarino whilst Victors Serenade makes a degree of appeal on paper and represents last year's successful yard. There are some potentially nice sorts going to post for this contest but none more so than Robin Will.
Megastar 5-2 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway over 3f out, led 2f out, ran on well, won at Sandown 2m NH flat (5) gd in Nov beating Wayward Prince (10-9) by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
Dust In Time 16-1 (10-9) Close up, tracked leader 10f out until hung right 4f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 14, 12l behind Voltigger Hill (11-0) at Lingfield 2m mdn nhf (6) hvy.
Johnny Mullen (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, went 3rd and weakened 1f out, 3rd of 15, 10l behind Gus Macrae (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft.
Keltic Crisis (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) In touch, pushed along halfway, ridden to chase winner 2f out until inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Voltigger Hill (11-0) at Lingfield 2m mdn nhf (6) hvy.
McCauley (IRE) 6-4 (12-0) Rcd 2nd, gng well bef 3out, ld 2out, row, won at Loughbrickland 3m ire ptp fm in Oct beating Ballygar Hero (12-0) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Pride In Battle (IRE) 5-2 (11-4) Held up, headway over 3f out, every chance approaching final furlong, stayed on strongly, not reached winner, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind John's Gift (11-1) at Wincanton 2m NH flat (5) gs in Nov.
Red Mile (FR) Kapgarde gelding out of Katespeed.
Robin Will (FR) Dark Moondancer gelding out of Gleep Will.
Shoegazer (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Mostly 3rd, mstk 5out & 20l 3rd 3out, prog from 2out & went 2nd well aftr 2out, ld early flat, row, won at Kilworth 3m ire ptp hvy in Mar beating De' Oro (11-7) by 4l, 16 ran.
Victors Serenade (IRE) Old Vic gelding out of Dantes Serenade.
Peasedown Cortina Karinga Bay filly out of Peasedown Tofana.
Landenstown Star (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Held up last, headway on inside over 3f out, shaken up 2f out, kept on into 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Kaybeew (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 2f NH flat (5) hvy in Nov.
Fleet Footed Fleetwood filly out of Asturias.
